Ars wants to know: which features do you need the most out of the new iPhone?

Share this story

When it comes to smartphones, everyone uses their devices just a little bit differently. And when it comes to the iPhone in particular, people sometimes have very specific use cases for work, home, and social lives. Some users might feel like the iPhone's screen is too small for their spreadsheet editing on-the-go, while others might feel that the entire device is already too big to fit into a pocket while skydiving. A fingerprint scanner could be useful to those who work high-security jobs, while it might come off as a superfluous expense for a teacher.

With Apple's September 12 media event just around the corner, it's time to begin speculating seriously about which features would benefit current and future iPhone users the most. We recently rounded up some of the most likely rumors about the next-gen iPhone, which include 4G LTE support, a screen-size bump, a revised dock connector, an improved camera, the 4FF's new "nano" SIM standard, and the iPhone's overall look and feel.

But the intricate details about these alleged new features are largely still missing—what should the new dock connector look like and what will be the goal of the redesign? How much can one really improve on the iPhone's camera? Will LTE be supported outside of the US and Canada (unlike the third-generation iPad)? And when it comes to the processor, should Apple upgrade the iPhone from the current A5 to a quad-core "A6" processor, or should it go with the A5X "extreme" that's currently in the third-gen iPad?

That's why we're asking you, our passionate and clued-in readership. Tell us what you'd like to see Apple add to the next-generation iPhone and how you would make use of those improvements. Both practical and fantasy suggestions are OK by us, but we'd like to know how you think those improvements would benefit different kinds of users: from iPhone aficionados to Android converts, from business to home users, and so on.

After reading through your answers, we'll choose the best ones to highlight before the event takes place next Wednesday. So tell us: what should the new iPhone look like, inside and out?

Share this story

Jacqui Cheng
Jacqui is an Editor at Large at Ars Technica, where she has spent the last eight years writing about Apple culture, gadgets, social networking, privacy, and more. Emailjacqui@arstechnica.com//Twitter@eJacqui

248 Reader Comments

Not to sound troll, but it is surprising how many of the honest feature desires are things which have been available in various Android models for 1+ years.

All of that said, I don't understand the point of this article. The hardware features of the iPhone 5 are already set. Software for iOS 6 is certainly set, though the next point release could have some features added from user feedback.

The question the author asks might have been appropriate 6-9 months ago when Apple could have cared for the input and was taping out designs. That said, the premise turns into an excuse to advertise the fact that in 3 days a new iPhone will be revealed. I would have had more respect for an article which came right out and said as much.

I definitely agree on the waterproof (water resistance) and stronger screen comments though. Those should both become standard in all smart phones, along with swappable batteries until either SoC or battery technology catch up to current use cases where people can't complete a full work day of usage without a charger handy. How long did it take before digital watches started getting water resistance ratings?

I've said this before, a bottle opener would be nice. Temperature sensor and in fact a lot more ability to work as an instrument...multimeter for example. microscope add on that was a precision device. The IPhone is an incredible piece of equipment and has completely transformed the market. There are lots of people who buy new skis every year for three times what a phone costs. Lots of people driving insanely resource intensive cars...I have a 4s and I'll buy the new phone as soon as I can, it gets me away from computer, TV...I use it most often for listening to books while I hike. No one who reads Ars is against gadgets and technology, who are you kidding?

I'd like to see them change the lettering "4s" to "5" and sell it for 200 dollars more than the previous version with no real features or improvements over a $150 prepay device from HTC like they've done with the last five phones they made.

My long-time-iPhone-using housemate laments that despite going through so many generations, the screen is still very small but more importantly to him, the user interface hasn't changed.

The screen-size thing is a double-edged sword. The smaller screen allows the phone to be used one-handed and still reach all four corners of the screen without bizarre acts of hand contortionism - This is something I find to be a minor frustration on my Galaxy Nexus having gone from a much smaller Droid 2. On the other hand, the bigger screen is niiiiiiiice.

The UI thing... He sees the fresh-looking Windows UI and Android's often-refreshed, user-configurable UI and I suppose he wishes iPhone's UI wasn't simply an ocean of rounded-squares, I guess.

I'd like to see them change the lettering "4s" to "5" and sell it for 200 dollars more than the previous version with no real features or improvements over a $150 prepay device from HTC like they've done with the last five phones they made.

I'd like to see them change the lettering "4s" to "5" and sell it for 200 dollars more than the previous version with no real features or improvements over a $150 prepay device from HTC like they've done with the last five phones they made.

I really don't think this type of article has a place on Ars. It has no value, no interest, no point.

The iPhone should, and will, look like a rectangle with rounded corners. From 6 feet away, it will be undistinguishable from most other phones, except for a large logo that will make customers feel better about paying so much.

With a bit of luck it won't be made of glass this time, so as to withstand a fall.

I'd like to see them change the lettering "4s" to "5" and sell it for 200 dollars more than the previous version with no real features or improvements over a $150 prepay device from HTC like they've done with the last five phones they made.

My wild speculation assumes the leaked new headphones are legit. They had no inline remote, and two grilles - one that would point down the ear canal, and the other that looks like it would press against the concha.

I'm hoping the second grille is some kind of jawbone mic, both for better talk with less wind noise, and for always-on Siri instead of inline controls.

Come on. We all know it'll just be a marginal improvement over the last device with some trivial hardware changes like a relocated button and more durable glass, behind the curve processor upgrade and some software gimmick that really does nothing but after a 2 hour long product launch spectacular involving nothing but the terms "magical", "best ever" and "more productive" the people who buy Apple products will be telling everyone else how "revolutionary" it is regardless.

Apple are doing a Microsoft Office. A few changes every release period and nothing else because they know people will buy it like sheep.

I'd like to see them change the lettering "4s" to "5" and sell it for 200 dollars more than the previous version with no real features or improvements over a $150 prepay device from HTC like they've done with the last five phones they made.

Constructed with a plethora of cunning, wit and thorough logic.

We are genuinely privileged to be in the presence of such an esteemed satirist.

These comments a mostly trash, what happend to Ars putting the smack down on this kind of stuff.

I would like NFC (ablility to clone a key card), better speaker, better camera quality (better low light, faster shutter speed, no increase in mega pixels), no change in dock. What I really would like is the pebble or an Apple bluetooth watch.

I'd like to see them change the lettering "4s" to "5" and sell it for 200 dollars more than the previous version with no real features or improvements over a $150 prepay device from HTC like they've done with the last five phones they made.

Constructed with a plethora of cunning, wit and thorough logic.

We are genuinely privileged to be in the presence of such an esteemed satirist.

It's no longer a phone - it's a pocket computer. I would like to see in it functions that currently are taken by specialized tools that not always in your pocket. Currently it's a camera. An example of some future functions is a fever thermometer. And I don't mean having attachments to the phone - all these functions should be integrated.

I'd rather not see a big increase in size. I do sometimes think I want a bigger screen but then I like a phone that will fit in a front jeans pocket and I can't see that happening with something the size of a note. It's nice to have the option of a reasonably high end smartphone that isn't more like a mini tablet. I don't want to be stuck buying low end rubbish just because I want a compact phone.

I don't see a problem with Ars trying to foster a discussion about an upcoming event in the tech world. After all, a lot of people will pay attention to the announcement on Wednesday (iPhone fans and iPhone haters alike, because both sides need ammo from somewhere).

<sarcasm>Plus, Ars writers and editors need to get entertainment from somewhere too.</sarcasm>

I'm interested to see where Apple is going to go with the new iPhone; I've been an Android fan for a while (and I still like the idea of it), but I've become slightly annoyed with Google's practices when it comes to Accessibility. Yes, I'm glad you finally gave the blind and visually impaired a way to browse the internet and use most apps, I'm less amused that it took you until ICS to do that. And to be fare, part of my annoyance is targeted at Motorola, because my one year old phone (Droid 3) will never see anything past gingerbread. It's also updates to existing applications; the accessibility of Google Play with the built-in screen reader is not anywhere near the accessibility of the old Market application, something that should have been fixed within a few weeks at the most. Apple from what little I have seen and what I have heard from other users is pretty good when it comes to accessibility.

As for new features, I think a slightly larger screen would be nice, for those with large fingers. NFC or another short-range communication method would be kind of neat.And while I'm listing things without consideration of reality, longer battery life, LTE, and a super strong antenna so I can finally get a signal on a phone in my apartment.

Stronger glass for sure. Or some type of ridge so the ridge hits the ground instead of the glass. I constantly run into people using iPhones w/ cracked glass.

Get rid of the home button and replace with with a touch glass strip that can have multiple functions. Now that I'm used to it on my Galaxy Note, it feels strange to ever need to press the home button. And yes, that home button does die. After 2ish years, my brother-in-law's iphone requires you to hold down the home button extra hard before it makes contact to trigger.

I find it interesting how many people want a new iPhone after complaining how many times their old one broke. I'll never understand some people. I think all the new iPhone needs is a redesign, I'm sick of looking at the first iPhone every year. This is not for me - since I won't purchase an iPhone - but for once I'd like my conceited friends to show off a new phone and not the exact same looking phone.

Personally though, it's getting to the point where it's too easy to make fun of iPhones and I just want it to go away now. Your screens break, your home button breaks, they're changing the dongle (which destroys a rather large market, unless of course you buy their proprietary adapter), it looks the same, is fairly locked down (exception: jailbreak), the screen is quite small (could be a good thing?), what they did with Siri on all their other phones is anti-consumer (it's your customer-base; why screw them out of something, Oh right so they buy your NEW iPhone).

I honestly just do not get it. I'm not even trying to be anti-apple, it just happens. I've used an iPhone quite a bit for work, and I have an SGS2 and my wife has an SGS3. They [samsungs] are superior in every way I can think of except they have a smaller app base. That's a fair argument except for apps don't exactly make the phone.

Anyways, the only comments I'll get from this is flamers on my side, and flamers not on my side, and either way. I just don't care. It's just a phone I guess. I just see so many negatives and people keep buying it. And my brain just goes "really? why?". buy what makes you happy I guess.

I find it interesting how many people want a new iPhone after complaining how many times their old one broke. I'll never understand some people. I think all the new iPhone needs is a redesign, I'm sick of looking at the first iPhone every year. This is not for me - since I won't purchase an iPhone - but for once I'd like my conceited friends to show off a new phone and not the exact same looking phone.

Personally though, it's getting to the point where it's too easy to make fun of iPhones and I just want it to go away now. Your screens break, your home button breaks, they're changing the dongle (which destroys a rather large market, unless of course you buy their proprietary adapter), it looks the same, is fairly locked down (exception: jailbreak), the screen is quite small (could be a good thing?), what they did with Siri on all their other phones is anti-consumer (it's your customer-base; why screw them out of something, Oh right so they buy your NEW iPhone).

I honestly just do not get it. I'm not even trying to be anti-apple, it just happens. I've used an iPhone quite a bit for work, and I have an SGS2 and my wife has an SGS3. They [samsungs] are superior in every way I can think of except they have a smaller app base. That's a fair argument except for apps don't exactly make the phone.

Anyways, the only comments I'll get from this is flamers on my side, and flamers not on my side, and either way. I just don't care. It's just a phone I guess. I just see so many negatives and people keep buying it. And my brain just goes "really? why?". buy what makes you happy I guess.

I've said this before, a bottle opener would be nice. Temperature sensor and in fact a lot more ability to work as an instrument...multimeter for example. microscope add on that was a precision device. The IPhone is an incredible piece of equipment and has completely transformed the market. There are lots of people who buy new skis every year for three times what a phone costs. Lots of people driving insanely resource intensive cars...I have a 4s and I'll buy the new phone as soon as I can, it gets me away from computer, TV...I use it most often for listening to books while I hike. No one who reads Ars is against gadgets and technology, who are you kidding?

There are mini-jack dongles and kit plans for dongles along with apps both iPhone and Android for oscilloscope use, it's actually very easy. Similarly, adding a battery and K-type thermocouple to such a dongle would be trivial, then you just need an app to read the voltages & calculate resistance into temperature. Actually, iCelsius is a complete package for temperatures and Oscium for a multi-channel oscilloscope.

A microscope has also already been done via a spherical lens added to the camera lens, though I think I might have originally read about that here or at /. a year ago.

Too bad, I bet even with a dock adapter, the iPhone 5 will be incompatible with many such advanced add-ons.

Apple are doing a Microsoft Office. A few changes every release period and nothing else because they know people will buy it like sheep.

Lazy thinking rears its ugly head once more.

When you call people "sheep" and say they're going to keep buying whatever Apple produces, you might want to reflect on how Apple have grown their market in several directions well past the original Mac users they catered to.

When you stop and think about it, you might come to an epiphany.

Not you - you're merely a troll and so won't amount to much - but hopefully others might engage their brain's higher functions on this.

Quote:

These comments a mostly trash, what happend to Ars putting the smack down on this kind of stuff.

What indeed? I'd subscribe if the site would actually police the threads from the front page. We need heavier-handed moderation, not a complete absence most of the time followed by a couple of modded threads and back to complete absence.

God who cares? You people will just busily run out and replace a perfectly functioning phone a year later. It's disturbing.

Are you kidding? Most people are on two-year contracts and wouldn't buy any of the high-end phones if they had to pay the $600+ out of contract cost.

I do think the next iPhone has to look more different from the iPhone4 than the leaked pictures do. I'd prefer a design that gave the edges of the front glass a little more protection. I still like the home button though (I'm an Android user and accidentally hit the soft keys way more than I'd hit a physical button). My 1st-gen iPod touch's button has remained reliable and is quite nice to use.

There should also be a jumbo iPhone for the sake of variety; it seems like the easiest of the pro-Android arguments to address, and they're already willing to do something similar with the iPad (mini).

But to me it seems that iOS is what needs to be refreshed. It looks like it's standing still, maps excepted. Android's come a long way, and I'll admit it had a long way to go before starting to catch up with iOS's responsiveness and refinement, but there's a sense of momentum that Apple doesn't seem to have.

?..they're changing the dongle (which destroys a rather large market, unless of course you buy their proprietary adapter)...

Did you ever buy a smartphone with a mini-USB connector? I did, a Blackberry. Even if you use a "standardized" connector, they age out and are replaced by newer standards - do you really think every smartphone five years from now will still have a micro-USB connector?

This argument puzzles me. The 30-pin dock connector is ten years old. Yeah, it's going to change, and now's as good a time as any.